"The journey is the destination."
Stephanie Dorsey Tweet
Stephanie Dorsey is a Founding Partner at E²JDJ, a VC firm investing in sustainable AgriFood technologies that promote human health, lower global energy consumption, reduce the environmental impact of industry, and materially impact productivity. She is a thought leader in the sustainable food space and is passionate about the role of innovation, entrepreneurship, markets, and system investing as a theory of change particularly in promoting change towards a healthier and sustainable food system. She serves on numerous advisory boards of food and entrepreneurial organizations. Before E²JDJ, Stephanie was a lawyer at the corporate law firm Davis, Polk & Wardwell.
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Table of Contents
Tell us a little bit about your current projects. What exciting milestone would you like to share with our readers? (Don’t hesitate to delve into your achievements, they will inspire the audience)
Stephanie Dorsey: Launching E²JDJ in March 2021 was a huge milestone. From my perspective, founding a venture capital firm is truly the best of both worlds, I get the privilege of both being an entrepreneur and supporting founders who dare to think differently, push boundaries, do what’s never been done, and nudge the world ahead using transformative solutions. After a significant amount of time market mapping, building a network, and refining our investment thesis, it was great to see the firm come to life. We are fortunate to have incredible supporters, LPs, and founders who have put their faith in us to execute our strategy.
We’re building a firm during a unique time in history and remain focused on backing game-changing founders who are building next-generation solutions in food and agriculture. The world is waking up to the fact that our food system is failing, and yet it is a single strongest lever to optimize environmental sustainability, human health, and life on earth. Only technology can help solve some of the urgent issues affecting our lives, nutrition, and the planet. I believe we’re at the front end of a new cycle that will not only have a positive environmental impact but will also produce venture-grade returns. Innovation truly represents a ticking time bomb that will completely reshape the industry. At E²JDJ we are privileged to get in on the ground floor and help catalyze this disruption.
Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Stephanie Dorsey: It would be hard to name one particular person. Breaking into VC is certainly not easy, and so it took a village of my mentors, advisors, colleagues, and peers to help me get to where I am today. I’m thankful that they all opened doors for me, shared priceless wisdom, knowledge, insights, and resources that have helped me navigate the landscape and build my firm.
Often leaders are asked to share the best advice they received. But let’s reverse the question. What’s the worst advice you received?
Stephanie Dorsey: “Don’t quit your job” was the worst advice I ever received. Several people were shocked that I was willing to take such a huge risk and leave a professional career in law to pursue launching the fund. While going to law school and becoming a lawyer trains your mind, it doesn’t define what you can do in life. Following your purpose and passion and aligning it with how you spend your time is what brings real joy. For me, it’s always been food and entrepreneurship. Everything in my life lead me to where I am today and I know that I am exactly where I’m meant to be. The journey has been taxing, uncertain at times, and full of new learnings, but I really wouldn’t have it any other way.
Receiving that advice, however, helped me realize that I had no desire to go through life avoiding risk. As Nelson Mandela said best, “Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks…Nothing. There is no passion to be found in playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
Is there a particular podcast you listened to, or business thought leader that you find helpful while maneuvering this pandemic?
Stephanie Dorsey: I’m a huge fan of Guy Raz’s How I Built This from NPR and have listened to hundreds of hours of his podcast. So many great stories of entrepreneurship, navigating crises, and the hustle and grit it takes to bring an idea to life and survive in business. The stories are powerful and inspirational. There are so many lessons from the stories, which are particularly relevant now two years into a pandemic when everyone has had to pivot in one way or another – it shows that pivots can lead to unimaginable possibilities that can take you to new heights.
When you think of your company, 5 years from now, what do you see?
Stephanie Dorsey: At E²JDJ, we are building a best-in-class firm and growing quickly in terms of AUM, our portfolio, and our partnerships. In the future, we will continue to back the most promising early-stage companies that create scalable solutions to climate change, human health, and the future sustainability of the global food system. Most importantly, we will continue supporting our founders with not just dollars, but as true partners in helping take their companies to the next level.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
Stephanie Dorsey: I believe you should never take no for an answer. I choose what I want to do, and make it happen.
Commitment to Excellence. How I do one thing is illustrative of how I do everything, I give everything my all and never cut corners and that goes for everything from my fitness regime to business.
Resilience. Resilience is about evolving and adapting, and it’s the only way to successfully learn, grow, and develop over time.
How important do you think it is for a leader to be mindful of his brand?
Stephanie Dorsey: I believe any brand should be rooted in authenticity and so if a leader is intentionally being true to himself it should never cause friction with his “brand.”
How would you define “leadership”?
Stephanie Dorsey: Being a leader requires a rare mix of influence and humility; compelling enough influence to move projects forward, but also have the humility and graciousness to know when to step back and pass the baton. Ultimately, leadership involves enabling those around you to show up in a way that will drive the company to success.
What advice would you give to our younger readers that want to become entrepreneurs?
Stephanie Dorsey: You have to play the long game and develop a love for the process. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Building something is never easy and it takes time, a lot more time than you’d expect, and so you have to love the journey to endure. The journey is the destination.
What’s your favorite “life lesson” quote and how has it affected your life?
Stephanie Dorsey: “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” — Robert Jordan. In life, I aim to be the willow. Life is non-linear, dynamic, and unpredictable and the world evolves quickly. Being able to continuously learn, absorb, grow, and adapt is a true superpower.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Stephanie Dorsey for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Stephanie Dorsey or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
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